Realistic Montessori at Home with 12 month Old {Budget Friendly}

Posted on April 23, 2020

Inside: Montessori at home with a 12 month old. What it looks like from a realistic home, and what Montessori toys we have on our Montessori shelf for 1 year old. I also share what practical life skills with 12 month old looks like for us, and what outdoor play includes.

Montessori at Home with 12 Month Old

Life at home with a 12 month old is pretty busy! Our little fella is ready to really explore as much as he can all day long.

As we have decided to use Montessori in our home it has been a great guide for me as to what to teach him, and ways I can teach him.

Following Montessori has actually made parenting heaps easier! It’s taken all the guesswork out of things and given us the tools to parent in a way that is effective and great for the long term.

Using the Montessori Toddler book ( AMAZING! ) and inspiration from other families we have created a routine and play area for our 1 year old to learn and grow.

Below I have shared our experience on what has worked for us and what we’ve used in our home.

Montessori Shelf at 12 Months

This is what our Montessori inspired shelf looked like for our 12 month old.

Notice how the activities that have pieces are separated and ready for him to put together? That is a big part of setting up a Montessori activity, leaving it ready for them to assemble.

If you already have it “together” then it does not encourage them to “do” the activity, as it already looks “done”. Such as the box activity above.

Normally I would have it set-up as below, so that he can sort the colors into the coordinated box. When trying to snap a photo he had just finished working on this activity.

Montessori Toys for 12 Month Old

The toys/work we used at this stage included :

Montessori Box with Bins

This has been a great for exploring color sorting for different shapes and objects.

I rotate the items that go inside so that he associates different items being those colors. Sometimes I leave them inside for him to open and discover, other time the objects are out and he sorts them into colored bin.

Hammer & Pegs

A huge favorite! The hammer and pegs is great for hand eye coordination.

If your child is wanting to “bang” or “hit” things, this activity also allows them to fulfill that need.

Horizontal Dowel

This was introduced earlier than 12 months, as we got it in a mixed bundle of Montessori toys second hand.

I was so impressed by how intrigued he was by the challenge of the horizontal dowel. It kept him focused for long periods when he was first learning to use it.

Montessori 3 Colored Dowels Stacker

This stacker is the newest addition and another that had peaked his interest.

We have begun working on saying the colors while stacking them, thus associating the word with the visual item.

Hand Drum

Another great activity for fulfilling the need to “hit” or “bang” something.

We use this and the maraca when we want to be musical. I leave both out because depending on his mood he will go for different musical item.

Wooden Maraca

Who doesn’t like to shake, rattle, and roll?!

This brings true joy to his face when he is really in the mood for shaking and dancing. We have rotated this maraca in and out many times through his development.

Definite toy that grows with the child and serves different purposes with time.

Rainbow Stacker

Another stacker that was introduced earlier than 12 months, but he still enjoys completing the activity and working on it.

Thus, I keep it out. It is all about following the child.

Board Books

We rotate different board books in and out of this area each week next to his couch.

Being a rough toddler, board books or fabric books are great options for allowing him to read books himself with less chance of damage.

Montessori promotes using books with “realistic” images inside. This helps teach your child what an item/person/animals really looks like. It is up to you in this realm. I still have a few childhood favorites on the bigger shelf that I enjoy reading and sharing with our little fella.

With 1 exception, all these Montessori toys are under $20. There are also many ways you can DIY some of these activities with household items if you check Pinterest!

If you want inspiration for other toys you can use on your 12 month old’s shelf for toy rotation The Kavanaugh Report has a list of options for 12 – 14 month olds.

Practical Life Skills with 12 Month Old

I must say I love stores that have shopping carts for kids, they make shopping trips much more of a learning opportunity.

The hardware store we go to is the only store that has them available near us. We have a great time letting the little fella push all the small items we are getting.

Other practical life activities we do at home at 12 months old include:

Handing me the silverware from dishwasher

“Dusting” with a feather duster

“Wiping” table, fridge, and window

Handing me socks from laundry

Brush hair

Use toothbrush

These activities will vary depending on your own child’s abilities.

Our little fella started walking at 10 months, so at 12 months he was able to do things like carry items. If your child isn’t walking yet that is totally fine, just adjust to giving them opportunities within their capabilities.

They will often just be excited that they are able to help and do an activity with you.

I will also add that activities such as brushing his own hair and teeth are done as a basic level, and usually I have to “have a turn” to make sure self care task is done completely.

Our little fella loves to help water the garden and help out with whatever tasks we need to do in the backyard.

We have found ways that we can include him in many of those activities.

When I need to water the plants around the yard I allow him to hold the hose for certain plants, such as the trees.

Many of the chicken chores he is a bit too young to help with at the moment, as things are either too heavy or not at the right height. Though, we allow him the task of carrying an egg to the kitchen with us and putting it into the egg carton.

He only broke an egg once when he tripped and fell while walking.

Toddlers can really surprise you with what they are capable of if you give them the chance!

Save for Later!

Montessori at Home with 1 Year Old

Hannah is family woman raising an adventurous lil toddler with another bundle of joy soon to join. She is all about helping others simplify home life so that they can also spend more quality family time together and grow in happiness. She enjoys drinking coffee while watching life grow from her back porch.

1 Comment

Abby

April 23, 2020 at 8:03 pm

This such a great post on how to get 1 year old involved in life. So often I see my nieces and nephews being “babied” all the time and restricting them. I can’t believe he carries the eggs to the kitchen!